Guitar Player

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We Are the Champions • They competed against hundreds of guitarists from around the world to claim top honors. Ladies and gentlemen, we present the 2020 Guitarists of the Year.

Axes Bold as Love • The Jimi Hendrix 1967 SG Custom and 1969 Flying V are heartfelt tributes from the Gibson Custom Shop.

Kramer Comeback • Gibson launches a revitalized Kramer lineup for 2021.

Stringed Victory • Jim Campilongo and Luca Benedetti jettison drums and bass for Two Guitars.

By Her Lights • Britain’s Gwenifer Raymond puts her own spin on American primitive with Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain.

The Many Instruments of Sierra Hull • She made her name on mandolin in the bluegrass scene, but her six-string skills have been there the whole time.

Cosmic Career • Daniel Donato combines spacey country guitar with a grounded business sense.

My Career in Five Songs • “Oh, yeah, I played on that.” Larry Carlton recalls his favorite sessions with the Crusaders, Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan.

Special Delivery • Rare and revered, this 1977 Overdrive Special 1x12 combo exemplifies the genius of Alexander Dumble.

Out of the Darkness • Undeservedly obscure today, Johnny Smith shines on Moonlight in Vermont.

The Strange Case of THE MISSING BEANO • In the summer of 1966, as Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton hit the record shops and the guitarist himself began rehearsals with his new band Cream, Clapton’s beloved sunburst Les Paul was stolen from a church hall practice room. Gone but not forgotten, the guitar left behind a mystery that has never been solved. Here, we trace the lifetime of this legendary ’Burst and ponder the chances of it ever being discovered.

‘WATCH ME’ • With a new album and signature Fender Strat, Tash Sultana is poised to be guitar’s hottest breakout artist of 2021.

SOLO FLIGHT • First came the house fire. Then heart surgery. Now Lee Ritenour bounces back with Dreamcatcher, the first solo guitar record of his long career.

THE GUITARS OF DREAMCATCHER

TREASURE TROVE • On Songs You Don’t Know by Heart, Jimmy Buffett returns to his folk roots to recut deep gems from his catalog.

Pentatonic Substitutions, Part 1 • Learn some new and musically colorful applications of a familiar scale.

Open Country • Harness the tonal power and fretless convenience of open strings in the style of country guitar greats like Vince Gill, Brent Mason and Albert Lee.

Pickup Pros and Cons • Understanding the two main types of acoustic pickups and how to amplify them.

PAF Repro Roundup • We tested five modern takes on the Holy Grail of humbuckers. Here’s how they stacked up.

Electro-Harmonix • EDDY VIBRATO/CHORUS

Fender • AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL II STRATOCASTER AND AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL II TELECASTER DELUXE

Breedlove • JEFF BRIDGES AMAZON CONCERT SUNBURST CE

Soldano • SUPER LEAD OVERDRIVE 30

How I Wrote… “Cliffs of Dover” • “It just came to me.” Eric Johnson receives his 1990 signature guitar instrumental.